wave

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 波 has 8 strokes and denotes waves or ripples.
• Basic usage: 波 is read なみ, and 津波 is read つなみ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A wave and a tsunami
  • 大きな波 means a large wave; that phrase alone does not identify it as a tsunami.
  • 津波 is a complete word denoting a tsunami.
• What causes the rocking
  • 波に揺られながら進んだ means moving forward while being rocked by waves. に marks what rocks the boat.